Cable enlargement clasp



A ril 23, 1968 .1. R. METZ CABLE ENLARGEMENT CLASP INVENTOR. E Me t2.

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V1 MJ 6 1 w m WW mm m 00 J m d h 6 i 5 F Patented Apr. 23, 1968 3,378,891 CABLE ENLARGEMENT CLASP Joseph R. Metz, Ridgefield, Conn, assignor to Norco Inc., Ridgefield, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Jan. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 521,358 9 Claims. (Cl. 24-123) AESTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A releasable clasp engageable with a cable enlargement, comprising a tubular body with a mouth at one end, into which a section of cable and enlargement carried thereby can be inserted. Opposed jaws in the body receive the enlargement between them. The jaws and interior of the body have cooperable cam surfaces which force the jaws together to grip the enlargement when the jaws are shifted axially toward the body mouth by a spring. This holds the cable and enlargement captive. A sleeve slidable on the body is connected to the jaws, and can shift them axially away from the mouth to release the enlargement, whereby the cable and enlargement can be withdrawn from the body.

This invention relates to releasable clasps for use with slim parts having enlargements secured thereon.

Objects of the invention are to provide a particularly versatile clasp of the type indicated, which may be readily produced as either a singleended clasp, a double-ended clasp, or else an open back clasp which latter enables a considerable length of cable or the like to be passed through it; to provide a clasp as above, which involves an especially simple movement in effecting its release, which has relatively few parts and is economical to manufacture, rugged in construction and reliable and foolproof in operation, and to provide a clasp in accordance with the foregoing, having jaws which are maintained in alignment with each other by sturdy, simple and effective means constituting also the pivotal connection of the jaws, and additionally to provide a clasp which requires a releasing force that is commensurate with the working force to which the clasp is subjected.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved cable clasp as above set forth, wherein inadvertentrelease of the clasp is positively prevented even though load is removed from the cable which is connected to the clasp.

Features of the invention include the provision of an improved releasable clasp as outlined above, which is constituted of simple, readily fabricated parts which are easily and quickly assembled, thereby to effect a relatively low manufacturing cost.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a single-ended type releasable clasp as provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse section, taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of an open back clasp constituting another form of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of a double-ended clasp constituting still another form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view of a double-ended clasp constituting yet another form of the invention wherein inadvertent release is effectively prevented even when load is removed from the cable to which the clasp is attached.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the clasp is seen to comprise a tubular body member 10 having a fitting 12 secured in one end, by which the body member may be attached to a supporting surface or to another member which is to be re'leasably connected to the cable with enlargements, or equivalent part. The body member 10 has a forward end 14 provided with a mouth or bore 16 which is adapted to receive the cable and enlargement, indicated respectively at 18 and 20.

A pair of semi-circular jaws 22, 24 is provided in the member 10, disposed in opposed relation to each other and forming between them a split receptacle in which the cable 18 and enlargement 20 are receivable. The jaws 22, 24 are in the nature of semi-cylindrical shells, being movable axially in the body member 10 toward and away from the frontal end 14 thereof.

Also, the jaws 2'2, 24 have hollow frontal portions 26, 28 respectively which are engageable with opposite sides of the enlargement or ball 20.

Inside the mouth 16 of the body member 10, cam surfaces 30, 32 are provided, cooperable with external sloping cam surfaces on the front portions 26, 28 of the jaws. The said cooperable cam surfaces act to force the frontal hollow portions 25, 28 to move toward each other as the jaws are shifted axially forward and toward the receiving end 14 of the body member. Said frontal portions are separated during opposite axial movement of the jaws, as will be understood.

Acting on the jaws 22, 24 to yieldably hold them closed as in the positions indicated in FIG. 1 is a yieldable means comprising a helical compression spring 34 located in the body member 10. One end of the spring 34 abuts the mounting fitting 12, whereas the other end engages the back ends of both jaws 22, 24 for the purpose specified.-

Manually operable means comprising an external release sleeve 36 is axially slidable on the body member 10 for the purpose of opening the jaws 22, 24 to release a clamped ball or enlargement 20. The sleeve 36 carries inwardly extending pins 38 which pass through longi tudinal clearance slots 40 in the body member, disposed diametrically opposite each other. The pins 38 also pass into slots 42, 44 respectively in the jaws 22, 24. The back ends of the slots 42, 44 terminate at bearing beads 46, 48 provided on the rearward ends of the jaws 22, 24 respectively, said beads being arcuate or semi-circular and having rounded outer surfaces which engage the inner walls of the body member 10, thereby providing a pivotal or fulcrum type engagement whereby the jaws 22, 24 may swing substantially radially outward at their frontal portions a slight extent as the jaws are axially retracted, the swinging movement being about shifta'ble centers which are contained in the rounded surfaces of the beads 46, 48.

Further, in accordance with the invention, improved pivotal connections are provided between the jaws themselves to effect a simultaneous pivotal movement thereof while at the same time preventing all relative movements other than pivotal. The said pivot means is especially simple, reliable and foolproof, and comprises a pair of pivot balls 50 which are carried in sockets 52, 54 located in peripheral portions of the rearward or innermost ends of the jaws. The sockets 52, 54 are paired with each other so that each pair may receive one of the balls 50. By such arrangement an effective pivotal connection is established between the jaws which is of the simplest possible construction yet is especially rugged and reliable, preventing all relative movement between the jaws except the pivotal releasing or clamping movements as permitted by the cooperable camming surfaces of the frontal portions of the jaws and the interior of the body member 10 at the mouth 16 thereof.

I have found that the combination comprising the ball pivots 54} with their cooperable sockets, and the bearing beads 46, 4-8 on the jaws together with the release sleeve 36 and the pins 38 carried thereby, extending into slots of the jaws (and including the coil spring 34) enables a smooth and effective operation of the jaws to be had whereby they readily separate to release the enlargement '20, or else securely grip the latter against removal.

With the jaws in the positions illustrated in FIG. 1 and with the cable 18 and enlargement 2t removed, a separation of the jaws for attachment to the cable may be offected by merely forcing the latter and enlargement 26 into the mouth 16 while holding the body member 10. Such separation does not require movement of the sleeve '36, which therefore may be gripped simultaneously with gripping of the body 10. This is due to the free forward portions of the slots 42, 44 being available to the pins 38, said slots and the pins 38 constituting one-way driving connections between the sleeve 36 and the jaws 22, 2-4. The enlargement 26 will be found to readily snap into place, in the hollow frontal portions of the jaws 2 2, 24 and the return spring 34 will thereafter securely press the jaws about the enlargement against accidental removal.

In order to release the cable 18 and enlargement 26, the user merely applies axial force to the release sleeve 36 to shift the latter from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1, whereupon the jaws will be separated. If the cable 118 is under tension prior to its release, the releasing force which must be applied to the sleeve 36 is required to overcome any such tension in the cable before separation of the jaws 22, 24 may take place. Thus, accidental release of the cable is positively prevented when the cable and clasp are carrying a load. Even without load, the force applied to the release sleeve 36 must be suflicient to overcome the opposition of the spring 34, as will be understood. By virtue of the above construction a smooth and reliable action of the jaws 22, 24 is obtained.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein parts identical to those already described have been given the same reference characters. The only difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 4 resides in the end plug or fitting 12a which, in FIG. 4, has a through bore or opening that is sufficiently large to enable passage of the cable :18 and ball enlargement 20 thereof, or passage of a number of such ball enlargements, as may be spaced along the cable. Accordingly, where the cable is provided with spaced ball enlargements, an adjustable securement of the cable in different locked positions is possible with the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein a double-ended clasp is shown. Parts which are similar to those already described have been given identical reference characters. In FIG. 5, the tubular body member comprises two portions 10b and 10c, which are telescopically secured together to form a single composite body portion joined midway between its ends. The releasable clasping mechanism at the rightmost end of the body portion of FIG. 5 is identical to that at the leftmost end, all having already been fully described above. Accordingly, no additional description is needed. Each of the clasp mechanisms at the two ends of the body member at FIG. 5 operates independently of the other, such operation having already been described.

Yet another form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. With this embodiment there is prevented inadvertent release of the clasp even when useful load is removed from the cable. To release the clasp of FIG. 6, the cable must first actually move toward the clasp, so as to displace the ball enlargement from its nest in the gripping aws.

The tubular body member 56 shown is in the form of a simple tube, having internal threads 58 at its two ends, into which are threaded conically bored end members 60. Release sleeves 62 are longitudinally slidable on middle portions of the body member 56, and carry radial pins 64 which pass through slots 66 in the body member and into slots in pairs of cooperable jaws 70, 72 respectively.

The jaws 70, 72 have outer end portions provided with semicircular beads 74, 76 respectively, said beads being also of semi-circular cross section and being received in an annular, similarly-shaped groove 78 of each end member 60.

By the provision of the semi-circular beads 74, 76 and the cooperable annular groove 78, a locking action of the clasp occurs. The ball enlargements of the cables occupy semi-spherical nests in the jaws 7t), 72 which have a slightly smaller diameter than the large cylindrical bores or spaces 68 defined by each pair of jaws. Just as long as the ball enlargements are in said nests no radially inward movements of the beaded ends of the jaws can occur, and therefore the beads prevent axial movement of the jaws and hold the clasp in a locked condition. It is noted that radial movement of the beaded jaw ends must take place before any axial retracting movements can occur, the last being needed to effect release of the cable. Because of the coaction of the beads 74, 76 with the grooves 7 8, a releasing force applied to the release sleeves 62 cannot be effective until the cables and balls have been first shifted in a direction toward the clasp, to dislodge the balls into the larger-diameter spaces 63 located axially inward of the ball nests. Of course, each pair of jaws and clasp may act independently of the other. It is noted that the radially inward movement of the beaded ends of the jaws 70, 72 (toward each other) is possible (when the ball enlargements are dislodged inward) due to the clearance spaces 80 existing between said ends of the jaws.

Operation of the clasp of FIG. 6 is otherwise generally similar to that already described in connection with the previous embodiments of the invention. Slight structural differences exist, as will be evident.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided an extremely simple yet rugged and foolproof separable clasp device which is engageable with enlargements on cables and the like, to securely fasten the same together or to other structural parts. The clasp is able to withstand considerable forces without break-down or failure, yet may be easily and quickly released when desired.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A releasable clasp for gripping enlargements on slim elongate parts, comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body member having an end adapted to receive one of said parts and the enlargement thereon,

(b) a pair of semi-circuiar jaws in said member, disposed opposite each other and together forming a split receptacle in which said part and the enlargement thereof is receivable, said jaws being movable axially in the member toward and away from said end thereof,

(0) said jaws having hollow frontal portions engageable with opposite sides of the enlargement,

(d) cooperable cam surfaces on said hollow portions of the jaws and on the interior of the body member, forcing the hollow portions to move toward each other as the jaws are shifted axially forward and toward said end of the body member, said portions being separable during opposite axial movement of the jaws,

(e) yieldable means urging the jaws axially forward toward said body member end,

(f) manually operable means including a release member movable longitudinally on the exterior of the body member, for moving said jaws against said yieldable means and in a rearward direction away from said end of the body member, said means further including pins carried by the release member and extending inward through the body member and into the jaws,

(g) said body member and jaws having slots through which the pins extend and in which they are movable longitudinally of the axis of the body member,

(h) said pins and the slots of the jaws constituting one-way driving connections between the release member and jaws whereby the latter can be shifted axially rearward against said yieldable means to separate their frontal portions without requiring movement of the release member.

2. A releasable clasp as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the manually operable release member comprises an annular sleeve slidable on the body member, said pins extending inward from the inside of said sleeve,

(b) said pins being engageable with the ends of the slots of the jaws when effecting rearward movement of the latter.

3. A releasable clasp for gripping enlargements on slim elongate parts, comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body member having an end adapted to receive one of said parts and the enlargement thereon,

(b) a pair of semi-circular jaws in said member, disposed opposite each other and together forming a split receptacle in which said part and the enlargement thereof is receivable, said jaws being movable axially in the member toward and away from said end thereof,

(0) said jaws having hollow frontal portions engageable with opposite sides of the enlargement,

(d) cooperable cam surfaces on said hollow portions of the jaws and on the interior of the body member, forcing the hollow portions to move toward each other as the jaws are shifted axially forward and toward said end of the body member, said portions being separable during opposite axial movement of the jaws,

(e) yieldable means urging the jaws axially forward toward said body member end,

(f) manually operable means slidable longitudinally on the exterior of the body member, for moving said jaws against said yieldable means and in a rearward direction away from said end of the body member,

(g) said jaws having pairs of juxtaposed pivot sockets disposed in diametrically opposite locations, and

(h) pivot balls, in each pair of pivot sockets,

(i) said balls and pivot sockets providing for solely pivotal relative movement of the jaws when the latter are held by the body member against separation of the sockets.

4. A releasable clasp as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the jaws have rounded arcuately extending bearing surfaces engaging the inside of the body member and constituting pivotal bearing means tending to hold the jaws from movement in directions effecting separation of the sockets thereof.

5. A releasable clasp as in claim 4, wherein:

(a) the body member has a main longitudinal bore extending completely through it and having a size sufliciently large to completely pass the said enlargement,

(b) said jaws when having their hollow frontal portions separated, defining a space between them which is sufliciently large to completely pass the said enlargement.

6. A releasable clasp as in claim 4, wherein:

(a) the arcuate bearing surfaces of the jaws and the sockets thereof are disposed substantially in the same transverse plane normal to the axis of the body member.

7. A releasable clasp for gripping enlargements on slim elongate parts, comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body member having an end adapted to receive one of said parts and the enlargement thereon,

(b) a pair of semi-circular jaws in said member, disposed opposite each other and together forming a split receptacle in which said part and the enlargement thereof is receivable, said jaws being movable axially in the member toward and away from said end thereof,

(c) said jaws having hollow frontal portions engageable with opposite sides of the enlargement,

(d) cooperable cam surfaces on said hollow portions of the jaws and on the interior of the body member, forcing the hollow portions to .move toward each other as the jaws are shifted axially forward and toward said end of the body member, said portions being separable during opposite axial movement of the jaws,

(e) yieldable means urging the jaws axially forward toward said body member end,

(f) manually operable means slidable longitudinally on the exterior of the body member, for moving said jaws against said yieldable means and in a rearward direction away from said end of the body member,

(g) said manually operable means comprising an annular sleeve on the body member, and pins extending inward from said sleeve,

(h) said body member having longitudinally-extending clearance slots through which said pins extend,

(i) each jaw having a longitudinal slot into which a pin extends,

(j) said pins being engageable with the ends of the slots of the jaws when effecting rearward movement of the latter,

(k) said jaws having pairs of juxtaposed pivot sockets disposed in diametrically opposite locations, and (l) pivot balls are provided, one ball in each pair of pivot sockets,

(111) said balls and pivot sockets providing for solely pivotal relative movement of the jaws when the latter are held by the body member against separation of the sockets,

(n) said jaws having rounded arcuately extending bearing surfaces engaging the inside of the body member and constituting pivotal bearing means tending to hold the jaws from movement in directions effecting separation of the sockets thereof,

(0) said body member having a main longitudinal bore extending completely through it and having a size sutficiently large to completely pass the said enlargement,

(p) said jaws when having their hollow frontal portions separated, defining a space between them which is sufficiently large to completely pass the said enlargement,

(q) the arcuate bearing surfaces of the jaws and the sockets thereof being disposed substantially in the same transverse plane normal to the axis of the body member,

(r) said arcuate bearing surfaces of the jaws being constituted by semi-circular beads on the jaws,

(5) said ends of the slots of the jaws being aligned with sides of the semi-circular beads.

8. A releasable clasp for gripping enlargements on slim elongate parts, comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body member having an end adapted to receive one of said parts and the enlargement thereon,

(b) a pair of semi-circular jaws in said member, disposed oppositely each other and together forming a split receptacle in which said part and the enlargement thereof is receivable, said jaws being movable axially in the member toward and away from said end thereof,

(c) said jaws having hollow frontal portions engageable with opposite sides of the enlargement,

(d) cooperable cam surfaces on said hollow portions of the jaws and on the interior of the body member,

7 forcing the hollow portions to move toward each other as the jaws are shifted axially forward and toward said end of the body member, said portions being separable during Opposite axial movement of the jaws,

(e) yieldable means urging the jaws axially forward toward said body member end,

(f) manually operable means slidable longitudinally on the exterior of the body member, for moving said jaws against said yieldable means and in a rearward direction away from said end of the body member,

(g) cooperable means on the jaws and body member, preventing axial movement of the jaws when they are held apart by engagement with said enlargement,

(b) said cooperable means comprising sockets and projections on the body member and jaws,

(i) said projections being received in said sockets when the jaws are clamping the enlargement, and being removed from the sockets when the jaws are brought toward each other during unclamping of the enlargement.

9. A releasable clasp as in claim 8, wherein:

(a) the body member has an annular groove constituting the sockets,

(b) said projections comprising arcuate beads on the jaws.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,660 1/1905 Munn. 1,177,869 4/ 1916 Kelley 279-38 1,190,491 7/1916 Watts 289-114 2,013,283 9/1935 Merrill. 2,305,234 12/1942 Bratz. 2,555,381 6/1951 Thisse 294102 X BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

